49ers Go Green

The countdown to free agency has begun and the 49ers look like they’ve already signed three players. The team announced today that they re-signed pass-rush linebacker Roderick Green, a move that should be applauded by all. Green was re-signed last year, only to be cut in training camp and then re-signed again. We’ll see what happens this year.

So far, the team has shown little interest in re-signing defensive end Marques Douglas, unless the 49ers are waiting for a big push right before free agency.

“We’ve talked, there’s been nothing substantial,” said Douglas, who finished second in the league in stuffs (tackling the running back for a loss). “We’ll see what happens.”

Douglas, talking by phone from his home in North Carolina, reiterated his desire to return to the 49ers. “I just feel like there’s something unfinished there,” he said. “If I do leave, I’ll miss the young guys.”

After the last game in Cleveland, coach Mike Nolan said he wanted Douglas to re-sign partially because of his leadership. “He holds himself and others to a high standard,” Nolan told KNBR radio after that game.

Rumors were flying at the combine that the 49ers are bent on making an offer to Bengals defensive end Justin Smith, who might fit better than Douglas in a 3-4 defense. If signed, Smith would probably need to provide some leadership. The 49ers will be without Bryant Young and Derek Smith, and it looks like they might not re-sign Douglas.

DILFER’S NOT DONE YET: Quarterback Trent Dilfer said his head is clearing up and that he hasn’t decided to retire. “I’ll make my decision in the middle of March,” Dilfer said by phone while he was cleaning up his yard.

Dilfer sustained a gruesome concussion against the Vikings on Dec. 9, and he was still recovering from the after effects during the last week of the season.

He’ll have plenty of options if he does retire, including a possibility with NFL Network. He did the color commentating on the Senior Bowl for the network.

“We’ll see what happens,” he said.

RESPONSES TO FOSTER’S SIGNING: It would be surprising if the 49ers paid as much as $2 million to DeShaun Foster (remember he hasn’t signed yet). The team likely will still have at least $30 million of cap space to play with in free agency. As mentioned previously, the team will lose quite a bit in special teams if Maurice Hicks isn’t re-signed. Hicks does pick up the blitz well, and was under utilized over the years as a receiver. However, he does seem to wear down during the course of the season.

Running back Thomas Clayton was never hurt last year; he spent the entire year on the practice squad. While he did lead the 49ers in rushing in the exhibition season, he benefitted greatly from the 49ers depth on the offensive line. I never saw him break a tackle and the line provided plenty of room for him.

Here’s an assessment of whom the 49ers are likely to look at in free agency.

BENGALS DEFENSIVE END JUSTIN SMITH: Very likely. He has 43.5 sacks in his six-year career. Smith looked like he never came out of the game against the 49ers. He appears to be a stout player, which would make him well-suited for a 3-4 defensive end.

BEARS LINEBACKER LANCE BRIGGS: Very likely. The team tried to trade for Nate Clements during the 2006 season, then they signed him in free agency. The 49ers were rumored to have tried to trade for Briggs last year, and may sign him in this year’s free agency. The question is, where will he fit? He plays similarly to Patrick Willis, so do the 49ers switch to a 4-3 or do they make him, at 240 pounds, take on guards?

BEARS WIDE RECEIVER BERNARD BERRIAN: Not likely. At the end of the season, team evaluators didn’t believe a number one receiver would be available in free agency. Berrian, who’s from the Modesto area, would like to play for the 49ers, but the Raiders seem more interested.

PATRIOT WIDE RECEIVER RANDY MOSS: Not likely. The belief here is that Moss will build a team up when its winning, but will tear a team down when its losing.

STEELERS GUARD ALAN FANECA: Not likely. General manager Scot McCloughan has said in the past that he would rather sink big dollars in positions other than guard. That’s one reason they didn’t attempt to sign Justin Smiley, and Faneca could command $7 million a year.

PATRIOTS CORNERBACK ASANTE SAMUEL: Not likely. The team guaranteed $22 million to cornerback Nate Clements last year. With the salary cap going up $7 million this year, and with most teams having money, Samuel might sign for more. Will the 49ers spend nearly $50 million in guaranteed money for their starting corners? Again, not likely.

Other players who could draw interest – Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse, former Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. Why not Tedy Bruschi? Perfectly suited to play the Ted linebacker spot and brings loads of leadership.

One receiver became available – the Redskins just released malcontent Brandon Lloyd. One of the great fleecings of all-time was a third- and fourth-pick the 49ers received for Big Hat No Cattle Lloyd. Not likely.